(Wines&Vines) - A rising tide lifts all boats, and despite the significant personal losses wineries and their workers faced due to wildfires in October, U.S. wine sales continued to lift the industry’s fortunes higher. 

California represents the lion’s share of domestic wine production and sales, and producers benefitted as U.S. wine sales totaled $3.6 billion in October, according to market-research firm bw166. This was 4% higher than a year earlier. Sales for the 12 months ended in October also rose 4%, topping $41 billion.